Medications Activity
Goal: To accurately demonstrate the ability to assist in the administration of
medications.
Directions:
1. Set up the classroom with various stations. At each station there will be
different medication situation.
2. Students rotate through the stations, addressing the situations and
documenting their actions.
Stations:
The following are suggested station and are considered a minimal for this activity.
Instructors should adapt the activity to challenge students with “real” situations that
they will encounter in the field.
1. Eye drops: The client is recovering from cataract surgery on his left eye. The
care plan states that he is to be given three drops in the eye during your visit.
Demonstrate using a mannequin. Document your actions.
2. Liquid medication: The care plan for your client specifies that she is to be
given liquid cough medication at 2 pm. Read the label on the medication and
pour the appropriate amount in the medication cup. Document your actions.
3. Ear drops: The client is four years old and has ear infection. You are in the
family home providing assistance to the family because the mother is
recovering from car accident and the father is at work. Demonstrate using a
mannequin (child mannequin if one is available) the correct technique to give
ear drops. Document your actions.
4. Tablets: Your client has Parkinson’s disease and severe tremors in his hands.
The care plan states that the PSW is to assist him by opening the medication
bottle and giving him the appropriate oral medication. Read the medication
bottle label. Demonstrate the proper technique to pour tablets out of the
bottle to give to the client. Document your actions.
5. Liquid medication: You are assisting the RN with medications in an
Alzheimer’s residential unit. The RN has just given a resident liquid
medication. The resident spits the medication all over the floor. Document
your actions.
Medication Activity Documentation Sheet
Station Documentation Chart Instructor/Peer
Comments
1. Eye Drops - Prepared the area with clean gloves.
- Verified the client’s identity and explained the
procedure.
- Instilled three drops in the left eye, ensuring
proper technique (tilting the head back, pulling
down the lower lid).
- Instructed the client to close their eye gently and
not to rub it.
- Disposed of gloves and documented the time and
medication given.
2. Liquid - Verified the client’s identity and read the
Med medication label.
- Measured the correct dosage using a medication
cup (e.g., 10 mL).
- Administered the medication to the client,
ensuring they swallowed it.
- Documented the time, dosage, and any
observations (e.g., client’s response).
3. Ear Drops - Verified the client’s identity and explained the
procedure to the caregiver.
- Used a clean technique to administer the drops
(tilting the head, pulling the ear back).
- Instilled the prescribed number of drops into the
affected ear.
- Ensured the child remained still for a few minutes
post-administration.
- Documented the time, medication, and any
observations (e.g., client’s response).
4. Tablets - Verified the client’s identity and read the
medication label.
- Opened the medication bottle, using a steady
hand to avoid spillage.
- Poured the appropriate number of tablets into the
cap or a clean medication cup.
- Assisted the client in taking the medication if
needed (e.g., providing water).
- Documented the time, medication, and any
observations.
5. Liquid - Observed the situation after the resident spat the
Med medication.
- Assisted in cleaning the area if necessary.
- Documented the incident, noting the resident’s
behavior and any further actions taken (e.g., re-
administering medication or notifying the RN).
- Reported the incident to the RN or appropriate
staff member.
Eye Drop
- Gathered necessary supplies (eye drops, gloves).
- Identified the client and explained the procedure clearly.
- Administered three drops to the left eye, ensuring proper positioning (head tilted
back, lower lid pulled down).
- Instructed the client to keep their eye closed briefly.
- Removed gloves and documented medication administration in the chart.
Liquid Med
- Confirmed the client's identity and checked the medication label.
- Poured the correct dosage (e.g., 10 mL) into a medication cup, ensuring accuracy.
- Assisted the client in taking the medication, ensuring they swallowed it completely.
- Recorded the time and dosage in the client's medication log, noting any reactions.
Ear Drops
- Identified the child and explained the procedure to the caregiver.
- Ensured a clean environment and gathered the necessary supplies.
- Administered the ear drops using the correct technique (tilting the head and gently
pulling the ear back).
- Confirmed the child remained still for the recommended time after administration.
- Documented the administration in the chart, including time and any observations.
Tablets
- Verified the client's identity and reviewed the medication label.
- Opened the bottle carefully to avoid spilling.
- Poured the required number of tablets into a medication cup or the cap.
- Assisted the client as needed in taking the medication, providing water if
necessary.
- Documented the administration, including time and any relevant observations.
Liquid Med
- Observed the situation after the resident spit out the medication.
- Assisted in cleaning the area as needed.
- Documented the incident in the chart, noting any client behavior and further
actions taken (e.g., re-administering medication, informing the RN).
- Communicated the incident to the nursing staff for follow-up.
